ATHLETIC NEWS

Julen Agirrezabala - Records clean sheet Agirrezabala recorded one save and secured a clean sheet in Monday's 0-0 draw versus Mallorca.

Impact Agirrezabala recorded one save and one clearance and secured his third clean sheet of the season. In the last three games, he has recorded only three saves and has conceded two goals. He is expected to play a key role atleast until Unai Simon returns from injury. Next, Agirrezabala faces Betis.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Vesga - Unused Wednesday Vesga was an unused option during the UEL match versus Prague.

Impact Vesga was back as an option for the first time since Sep 29 after picking up an ankle injury. He will likely return to his rotational role in the defensive midfield for Athletic Club, totaling four starts in seven La Liga appearances, logging in six interceptions, five tackles and four clearances.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Back for Athletic Sancet recorded four passes in Thursday's 1-0 victory versus Slavia Prague.

Impact Sancet returned to the pitch during the UEL clash wit Prague after missing the last match with a hamstring injury. He could be an option to start against Mallorca, having scored three times in the last five appearances in all competitions, logging in six shots (four on target), three crosses (two accurate) and two chances created.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Why Aryna Sabalenka overtook Iga Swiatek for world number one in the WTA rankings The Belarusian has had a sterling season, but her formal ascent to the top of the latest table hinged on a WTA rule.

OCTOBER 21 • NYTIMES.COM

Aitor Paredes - Back from suspension Paredes completed his suspension and will be available for the Oct. 28 match at Mallorca.

Impact Paredes has started in his five appearances for Athletic Club this season and has also been in the XI in the team's two Europa League matches thus far. He should be in contention for a starting role for the Oct. 28 game vs. Mallorca and could also start Thursday in the UEFA Europa League against Slavia Prague.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar De Marcos - Notches assist De Marcos assisted once to go with two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 4-1 victory against Espanyol.

Impact De Marcos earned an assist Saturday, finding Alex Berenguer in the 55th minute for the club's final goal of the match. This marks De Marcos' second assist of the season, with those being his only two assists. This marks his second start in a row, starting in all six of his league appearances.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Assist in return Williams assisted once to go with two shots (two on goal), five crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Saturday's 4-1 victory versus Espanyol.

Impact Williams returned to play Saturday after enduring an injury during the international break while with Spain, earning the start in the win. He registered an assist, marking his second goal contribution of the season. He also whipped in five crosses, registering five or more in his past three appearances.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Vivian - Score goal early Vivian scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 4-1 win against Espanyol.

Impact Vivian wasted no time getting Atheltic on the scoreboard Saturday, as he would score in the eighth minute following a corner kick. This marks his second goal of the season despite being a defender, a bit surprising after not having one all of last campaign.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Earns three goal contributions Berenguer scored one goal and assisted twice from two shots and two chances created in Saturday's 4-1 win against Espanyol.

Impact Berenguer was on fire Saturday, as the attacker not only scored a goal but also assisted on two more in the dominant win. This marks his first goal and third, fourth and fifth goal contribution of the season, with four coming in their past two matches. He has started in seven of his nine league appearances and should continue in that role while in form.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Brace in win Williams scored two goals to go with two shots (two on goal) and six crosses (zero accurate) in Saturday's 4-1 win over Espanyol.

Impact Williams bagged a double Saturday, earning two goals in Atheltic's dominant win. This marked his third goal of the season, which all came in his last three appearances. He now has seven league goal contributions in only 10 appearances (nine starts).

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Julen Agirrezabala - Allows one against Espanyol Agirrezabala recorded one save and allowed one goal in Saturday's 4-1 win over Espanyol.

Impact Agirrezabala didn't have to do much in net Saturday but still allowed a goal, saving one of the two shots he faced on net. It did need his one-match clean sheet streak, notching two in league play this campaign. He will look for his third when facing Mallorca on Monday.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Starting against Espanyol Williams (bruise) is in the starting XI for Saturday's clash against Espanyol.

Impact Williams returns after missing Athletic's previous match and sitting out the international break with Spain. The attacker has just one goal involvement through seven La Liga appearances, but is a threat any time he's on the pitch.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Vesga - Ruled out Saturday Vesga (hamstring) is not in the squad to face Espanyol on Saturday.

Impact Vesga remained a doubt in the buildup to the match as he'll now miss his third straight match in all competitions. The midfielder will hope to return in mid week Europa League action against Slavia Prague.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Yeray Alvarez - Available as substitute Alvarez (thigh) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Espanyol.

Impact Alvarez returns as expected following a seven match absence due to a thigh injury. The defender is a locked in starter when fully fit, but will be eased back into match action from the bench.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Padilla - Set for return Padilla (knee) is set to be an option Saturday, according to manager Ernesto Valverde. "We feared the worst because of the knee issue, but we did the tests and it is in perfect con...

Impact Padillais already in the fold after dealing with knee issues last match, with the club reporting the injury was less serious than first thought. That said, the goalie should be expected to continue in the starting role in net, as he did start in the clubs last match. However, the club may turn back to Julen Agirrezabala following the injury scare, as he did start in the eight matches prior, only missing out due to a suspension.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Looks likely to return Williams (bruise) appears to be available for Saturday's match against Espanyol, according to manager Ernesto Valverde. "Until yesterday, when he did the full training,... the day...

Impact Williams appears to be back in the fold following a bruise in his back that forced him to leave Spain's national team camp. He did train fully the past few days, appearing to not be holding any discomfort and looking ready for play. That said, he will look to earn the starting spot back from Alex Berenguer immediately, as he has started in six of his nine appearances this campaign.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Yeray Alvarez - Trains fully, ready for play Alvarez (thigh) completed full training and is an option for Saturday's match against Athletic, according to manager Ernesto Valverde. "Yeray, I think so. He has done complete trai...

Impact Alvarez looks to be in for a return following the break, with the defender healing from his thigh issues and training. This is great news for thew club, as he started in their first four games of the season before missing the past seven games due to his injury. That said, he will hope to assume the spot in the starting XI immediately.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Vesga - Questionable to face Espanyol Vesga (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday's match against Espanyol, according to manager Ernesto Valverde. "Mikel has a small problem and we don't know if it will arrive."

Impact Vesga will be a late call Saturday, likely facing a late fitness test to decide his availability. Even if he is an option, it appears he is still feeling some discomfort and likely has little chance of seeing a start. That said, he will only see time off the bench if selected, with the club taking his return cautiously.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Won't play Saturday Sancet (hamstring) is out for Saturday's match against Espanyol, accoridng to manager Ernesto Valverde. "Oihan, of course doesn't arrive."

Impact Sancet will remain on the bench for another match after going down injured in the club's last match before the break. He has been a regular starter, so this will force a change. That said, Unai Gomez is his likley replacement.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Soccer stars in Europe are making an unusual complaint: too much soccer NPR's A Martinez talks to Matt Slater with The Athletic UK, about why European soccer leagues and the players' union have filed a complaint...

OCTOBER 16 • NPR.ORG